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Psychology Terms – Action Potential
Action potential refers to the transient alteration in the voltage differential across a neuron's membrane, typically initiated by nerve impulses from multiple other neurons at synapses. This phenomenon is characterized by the influx of positively charged sodium ions through the cell membrane, leading to the propagation of an impulse along the neuron's axon. This process reverses the resting potential, which is approximately −70 millivolts (mV), where the inner surface is negative relative to the outer surface, and the membrane exhibits greater permeability to potassium ions than to sodium ions. The potential shifts to approximately +40 mV, enhancing the membrane's permeability to sodium ions and facilitating the influx of positively charged ions, thereby transmitting the potential from the axon hillock down the axon at velocities ranging from about 0.1 to 10 meters per second. Also referred to as a nerve impulse.
Action potential refers to the transient alteration in the voltage differential across a neuron's membrane, typically initiated by nerve impulses from multiple other neurons at synapses. This phenomenon is characterized by the influx of positively charged sodium ions through the cell membrane, leading to the propagation of an impulse along the neuron's axon. This process reverses the resting potential, which is approximately −70 millivolts (mV), where the inner surface is negative relative to the outer surface, and the membrane exhibits greater permeability to potassium ions than to sodium ions. The potential shifts to approximately +40 mV, enhancing the membrane's permeability to sodium ions and facilitating the influx of positively charged ions, thereby transmitting the potential from the axon hillock down the axon at velocities ranging from about 0.1 to 10 meters per second. Also referred to as a nerve impulse.
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